Backpacker Hostels in Cairns, Australia

23 Hostels for Backpackers available. Prices start from $11.00 for a dorm bed.

Hostels in Cairns

Party Hostel Solo Traveller Youth Hostel
"…Before check-in, all guests will be provided with a Hostel Residential Document that outlines the terms and conditions of residency, including the house rules. It is mandatory for guests to … More

Travellers Oasis

Parramatta Park
Older travelers (+50) Quiet Rest Solo Traveller
"…Stay here if you can, I had booked one night and could not extend my stay because they had no vacancies, but they set me up in a room with their sister hostel (Tropic Days) which was just as … More
Couples Female Solo Traveller Older travelers (+50) Quiet Rest
"…Pretty, relaxed place, nice staff - Dreamtime was exactly what we were looking for -- a small, very pretty, cozy and homelike hostel, close to the city center but quiet and relaxing enough. Also, … More

Cairns Central YHA Hostel

Cairns North
Free Breakfast
Family-Friendly Hostel Groups (10+ people) Quiet Rest Solo Traveller
"…Gave good banter too. Ideally situated. Would recommend. Best place to stay in Cairns! - I and my family stayed here four nights during our seven-week odyssey Down Under late Spring and Summer … More
Female Solo Traveller Solo Traveller
"…Staff on the whole are very friendly, with the odd exception. Rooms are very basic and have loud air conditioning, but are clean. Not much of a social area for such a big hostel and the kitchen, … More

Travellers Paradise

Parramatta Park
Digital Nomads Family-Friendly Hostel Older travelers (+50) Quiet Rest Solo Traveller
"…Reception staff were fun and really helpful. I felt at home as soon as I checked in and the help and advice that I received when I was booking tours was second to none. Forget travel agencies, … More

The Village

Cairns CBD
Couples Female Solo Traveller
"…- Nightly entertainment and events - Onsite travel desk Our private and dorm rooms are more than just a place to rest your head. They are your home away from home and our rooms have … More

Mad Monkey Village

Cairns CBD
Free Breakfast
Quiet Rest Solo Traveller
"…If the bad weather wasn't hitting in January then I imagine our stay would have been a lot longer. There isn't a bar at Njoy, which is great -- so you are allowed to bring your own alcohol in, … More

Bounce Cairns

Cairns CBD
Free Breakfast
Solo Traveller Boutique Hostel
"…In fact, staff was smiling and really helpful for organizing activities or any question! With also free breakfast and free internet, great place to recommend! Great stay! - This is a great hostel … More
Digital Nomads Party Hostel Solo Traveller Youth Hostel
"…The location is one of the few nice things that the hostel has to offer. It's central, just next to the Cairns Marina, the Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, and a little park. The views that you have in … More

Mad Monkey Backpackers Waterfront

Cairns CBD
Free Breakfast
Party Hostel Solo Traveller Youth Hostel
"…Please note: Contact reception before 7.30PM to organise a late check in. We would highly recommend to download the GOKI app before check in and to complete the pre check in link which is emailed … More

Summer House Backpackers

Cairns North
Free Breakfast
Party Hostel Solo Traveller Boutique Hostel
"Summer House Cairns is a resort-style backpacker accommodation located in tropical Cairns, the gateway to the Barrier Reef, and minutes from the Cairns Esplanade. The property is located close to … More
Solo Traveller Youth Hostel
"…- The overall comfort of the place is great, it is excellent value for money, and the most outstanding feature is the staff give outstanding customer service. I highly recommend this place to stay … More
Adventure Hostels Digital Nomads Party Hostel Solo Traveller Youth Hostel
"…We drank in the room and ate, but yeah, you weren't allowed guests after ten but who cares. This place was brilliant. There's loads to do here and the rooms were amazing. The cleaners got used to … More

Mad Monkey Central

Cairns CBD
Free Breakfast
Party Hostel Solo Traveller Youth Hostel
"…All our rooms are Air-Conditioned & all our bunk beds are equipped with personal USB ports & power sockets to make sure you can comfortably scroll through your new travel pictures from your bed. … More

Mumma's Hostel

Cairns CBD
Free Breakfast
Solo Traveller
"…So if you need help organising an epic East Coast adventure just ask. We have all the best tour deals and even know all the cool Free stuff to do around Cairns. We offer all guests a daily … More
Adventure Hostels Beach Lovers Retreat Family-Friendly Hostel Solo Traveller Youth Hostel
"…Added to this you get the airport shuttle service and the discount meal vouchers at P.J O'Briens which is a cracking pub especially at the weekend. Overall excellent value for money and a very … More
Party Hostel Solo Traveller
"…The kitchen is small and useless, there's no cooking equipment (or a cooker!) and the microwave is always broken. The TV room is okay. There's a balcony with benches for quiet drinks or card games … More

Bohemia Resort

Cairns North
Free Breakfast
Couples Family-Friendly Hostel
"…Summary For such a low cost, this is one of the most lovely places we've stayed in during our time in Australia. It's well worth trekking a bit out of town for a clean, beautiful, budget resort … More

Reef Backpackers


Free Breakfast
"…All of the rooms have their own air conditioning and sufficient wall socket availability, with a decent bed quality. The only available bathroom -- divided between men and women -- is located on … More

Backpacker Hostels in Cairns, Australia

23 Hostels for Backpackers available. Prices start from $22.00 for a dorm bed.
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Neighborhoods in Cairns

Looking for a specific district? Here you go:

Get to know Cairns (no more "I wish I knew this before")

This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Cairns.

 Get to know Cairns (no more

Cairns is a city in the northeastern part of Australia (Far North Queensland), with a population of approximately 140,000 people. Cairns is known to be a very touristy city geared toward Japanese tourists (some shop signs are in both English and Japanese).

Cairns hostels are known to backpackers as there are many interesting things to do in the area. The budget traveler should expect to pay 20 dollars and upwards for a dorm room and the hostels are of good value. There are often deals for multiple days too. If you plan to stick around for longer, they can save you some money and are worth checking out. Many Cairns hostels also employ travelers temporarily, if you want to save money or gather some more cash if you still have more traveling to do, this may help you get you on your way.

The activities near Cairns hostels are abundant. There is an artificial lagoon that is a good place to spend a day just enjoying the sun (the days can be scorching hot in the summertime), and there is plenty of good shopping to do in the city.

Many travel agencies, which are often situated really close to the hostels, also offer extreme sport activities packages which you might find interesting. Skydiving is one of the things many people do in Cairns and the surrounding areas, especially on Mission Beach, where you can actually dive and land on the beach. The altitudes range from 9000ft upwards and the prices start at about 229AUD; check the travel agencies for more specific details.

All in all, Cairns hostels are a great way to visit this city which also serves as a good connecting point both for flights, and for some east coast buses, which are a good and reasonably priced way to travel around and make new friends.

Written by local enthusiast for Cairns hostels

Written by local enthusiast for Cairns hostels Miika

Cairns Hostel Cheatsheet

Above we list every single hostel there is in the city. Let us take a broader look at what you can expect - and what not. We created this cheatsheet for you to get a more complete picture of the hostel quality in Cairns, average prices and types of hostels to choose from.
Total number of hostels 23
Average dorm price $30
Average private room price $94
Cheapest hostel in Cairns The Jack Backpackers with $22
Party hostels in Cairns Wanna Stay? (7 in total)
Most Cairns hostels are located in Cairns CBD, Cairns North, Parramatta Park
Average rating of all hostels 8.1

FAQ about Cairns Hostels

We've collected the most common questions for hostels in Cairns. The more you know, the better you can plan with confidence and ease, right?

Find your Perfect Hostel Match

We've created more special guides for you:

Family Hostels in Cairns

Youth Hostels in Cairns

10 Hostels in Cairns with Private Rooms

10 Hostels in Cairns with Private Rooms

7 Best Hostels in Cairns

7 Best Hostels in Cairns

13 Cheapest Hostels in Cairns

13 Cheapest Hostels in Cairns

5 Party Hostels in Cairns

5 Party Hostels in Cairns

Other Nearby Cities

Palm Cove (22 Km / 14 mi.)
Yungaburra (43 Km / 27 mi.)
Atherton (49 Km / 31 mi.)
Port Douglas (58 Km / 36 mi.)
Innisfail (72 Km / 45 mi.)
Cape Tribulation (99 Km / 61 mi.)
Mission Beach (111 Km / 69 mi.)

Travel Tips for Cairns - from the Community

Hey fam! Here are a few more tips from the community, from them to you, and you to them. This space is dedicated for travellers to share their best tips on backpacking Cairns. Have a closer look - the Hostelz community share real hidden gems, insider knowledge and overall impressions of Cairns. Everyone is welcome to add something useful, funny, unexpected and the "absolutely necessary to know before you go" - share, share and then share a little more!

Cairns comments only. Don't discuss the hostels here, post a review on the hostel's page instead.

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